Replacing Deathstroke: 7 Villains Who’d Be Perfect For The Batman

The Joker

The maniacal king of crime is an obvious choice for the job of main villain in The Batman and Jared Leto has already put himself forward for the prized job. But would the actor’s incarnation of the famous clown stand as a good sparring partner for grizzled Bats?

Say what you want about Leto, but he’s an excellent talent with the range and energy to make a starring turn in The Batman. That said, I’m not sure I love his version of the Clown Prince of Crime. With his lime green hair and tasteless tattoos, he’s a striking cosmetic rendition, but the grills and gold-plated appendages mark him out as tacky rather than intimidating. He has none of the restraint and physical intimidation of Heath Ledger’s hulking, shambling, demonic Joker.

Still, Leto wil have more to add. He’s criminally underused in Suicide Squad with much of his work left on the cutting room floor. The Oscar winner has a chameleon-like quality and with the right script and a proper R-rating, Leto would make a formidable adversary.

Much like Strange, it would make sense if Deathstroke was hired by the king clown to take on Bats, and since the Joker is such an enduring character in DC comic book lore, we can hardly be satisfied with his paltry appearance in Suicide Squad.